New Adventures Return To Birmingham Hippodrome With Sir Matthew Bourne's CINDERELLA

Birmingham Hippodrome is thrilled to welcome the much-anticipated, sell-out production of Matthew Bourne's Cinderella from Tues 6 - Sat 10 Feb.

The celebrated new production, which premiered at Sadler's Wells on 9 December, follows hot off the heels of Matthew Bourne's critically acclaimed staging of The Red Shoes, which - due to phenomenal public demand - returned to Birmingham Hippodrome in July 2017 following a sell-out week of shows in February.

One of New Adventures' most loved productions Matthew Bourne's Cinderella is a thrilling and evocative love story, set in London during the Second World War.

Matthew Bourne's interpretation of the classic fairy tale has, at its heart, a true war-time romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

Fresh from their triumph playing Victoria Page in The Red Shoes, the role of 'Cinderella' will be performed by Cordelia Braithwaite and Ashley Shaw. Cinderella's heroic Pilot, 'Harry', will be performed by Will Bozier, Andrew Monaghan and Dominic North. 'The Angel' (Cinderella's 'Fairy GodFather') will be danced by Paris Fitzpatrick and Liam Mower. 'Sybil', Cinderella's Step-Mother, is performed by Madelaine Brennan, Michela Meazza (London only) and Anjali Mehra. 'Robert', Cinderella's Father is performed by Alan Vincent and Dan Wright.

Cinderella's Step Brothers and Sisters and the people of 1940's London complete the cast: Steph Billers; João Carolino; Reece Causton; Jackson Fisch; Glenn Graham; Sophia Hurdley; Jack Jones; Nicole Kabera; Kate Lyons; Jamie McDonald; Stephen Murray (Former Central School of Ballet/New Adventures Student Associate), Danny Reubens; Katie Webb and Seren Williams.

Commenting on the production, Matthew Bourne said: "Cinderella is one of my most heartfelt works and a personal favourite amongst my re-imagined classic stories. I'm delighted to have brought together this cast of current star performers, experienced New Adventures veterans and exciting young talent."

With Lez Brotherston's sumptuous costumes and sets, which won an Olivier Award for his original designs, and lighting by Olivier Award-winning Neil Austin, Cinderella will be performed in Surround Sound, designed by Paul Groothuis and featuring a specially commissioned recording played by a 60-piece orchestra. Matthew Bourne's vivid story telling has never been more heart-stopping and touching, and will take the audience into the heart of Prokofiev's magnificent score, and the sights and sounds of war-torn London.

2017 marks 20 years since Cinderella first premiered in the West End and New Adventures' 16th consecutive Christmas season at Sadler's Wells. Cinderella concludes a year-long celebration of work to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of New Adventures.

Alongside the public performances of Cinderella, Birmingham Hippodrome will once again play host to a week of fundraising events and creative learning projects inspired by Sir Matthew Bourne's magical new staging of the classic fairytale, which last year helped raise over £15,000 in support of learning, access and free community performance at the theatre.

Scheduled events this February include two sell-out Gala Dinners on Thurs 9 and Fri 10 Jan and an exclusive SimkissGuy Leading Ladies reception of networking and cocktails sponsored by West Midlands Growth Company on Tues 6 Feb in support of Hippodrome Projects which delivers inspiring arts experiences for young people, vulnerable adults and families across the region.

On Fri 10 Feb, aspiring dancers from top regional academies and colleges will be given the opportunity to perform to a packed house ahead of the main public performance of Cinderella with a specially commissioned 'Curtain Raiser' inspired by the themes of the show. Now in its ninth year and sponsored for a third time by Tilney - the Curtain Raiser has become a regular feature of Matthew Bourne's Hippodrome week.

Charitable donations can still be made to the Hippodrome on 0844 338 5000 (calls cost 4.5p/min plus your phone company's access charge) or online at birminghamhippodrome.com/donate

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

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